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The Syntor line of mobile radios are synthesized 32 channel radios for VHF and UHF. The Syntors were made in the 1980s and came after the crystal controlled Micor series. The RF frequency information was held in a one-time bipolar PROM chip, and the PL tone / DPL code information in a second chip. Paul Benetts web site listed below provides alternatives to the almost-impossible-to-find PROM chips and the methods to program them.
The Syntor X radios followed the Syntors and were a complete redesigned radio that happens to share the same product name. They are completely different inside and offer more options including low band and 32 channels or more. The programming is held in a plug-in memory module that holds one of several different memory chips. The programming information holds separate receive and transmit frequencies, tone or digital pl encode/decode, a timeout timer (programmable in 15 second increments to over 7 minutes) and a scan list (up to 32 channels) with two priority channels.
Two sources of Syntor memory module programming are:
The Syntor X9000 followed the Syntor X and is the same radio from a RF standpoint, but the internal controller board was upgraded to expand the number of memory channels up to 255. The control cable connector on the X9000 is the same as the X, but the accessories are not compatible. The X9000 uses Systems 9000 accessories and options that communicate with the radio via a 9600 baud serial bus. Unlike the Syntor X the X9000 is programmed with RSS (and a slow PC), a RIB and special adapter cable that goes in series with the normal radio cable. The the special cable is not an absolute requirement, there are several ways to make your own connection from a radio to to a RIB. In other words, the X9000 is a more desirable mobile radio than a Syntor X since you don't need the almost-impossible-to-find suitcase programmer for the plain Syntor or the Syntor X... you just connect a PC or a laptop to the X9000 and program it.
Note that there are a wide range of Syntor line accessories and that the cable and head are not compatible between the Syntor, Syntor X and Syntor X9000. The only accessories that are the same across all three radios are the speaker, microphone and antenna. If you do not have experience with the Syntor series and decide to buy any Syntor you really need to purchase a complete installation set - the radio, cable and the head. Paul Bennetts web site (linked below) will help sort out the confusion, but it's best NOT to try and mix and match unless you have the full manual that covers your radio(s) and accessories.
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Skip Hansen WB6YMH and Lee Dusbabek K7KAJ have designed and sell a
replacement memory module for the Syntor X called the Xcat that
is programmable by a PC. A Syntor X plus the Xcat is a much more
capable base station or remote base radio than an X9000 - and cheaper!
If your interest is in a standalone mobile radio then the X9000 is
still the way to go. The Xcat provides 32 modes and the X9000 came in
32, 64, 128 and 255 modes and offers an 11-character alphanumeric
display control head. And you can't run some accessories (like a PA-siren)
from the Syntor X main control head (Moto provided a control box that
mounted on top of the head). Click here for a photo of the Xcat board. The brown connector at the top of the photo plugs into the Syntor X in place of the original Motorola module (so if you end up with an eBay Syntor X that was decomissioned by pulling the module you can add the Xcat and turn your doorstop back into a real radio). The 10-pin header at the lower left connects to a DB9 connector that plugs into your PCs serial port (COM port) for programming the Xcat. The 20-pin header at the lower right is for a connection to a repeater controller when used in a remote base application (it's the multicolor ribbon cable in the "installed" photo). The Xcat allows remote selection of RF frequency, PL encode and decode tones, and power level via the Doug Hall "RBI" protocol that is supported by most controllers (and you don't need the Doug Hall box!). The Icom CI-V protocol or the serial protocol can be used by controllers that don't support the Doug Hall protocol. Click here for a photo of the installed Xcat board. The Xcat module, when plugged in place of the original Moto memory module, provides:
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Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X9000 and MCX-100 Ham
Band Programming Information:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/5857/ By Paul Bennett N7OCS (offsite link)
Other Syntor, Syntor X and Syntor X9000 Information:
Moving a highband Syntor to 2m (includes VCO mods) By Mark A. Tomany N9WYS
Modifications To A Motorola Syntor X to Use As A Repeater or Point-to-Point Link Receiver or Transmitter Scott D. Lichtsinn KBØNLY
Syntor X Mobile Radio Information By Mike Blenderman K7IC (offsite link)
Syntor X Code Plug Information By Paul Kasley W9TS (offsite link)
Syntor X PC Programmable Memory Modules From Piexx Company (offsite link)
Setting up a Syntor X as a 144.39 MHz APRS radio by Earl Garber N3EG (offsite link)
Making your own TRN-4224A PL
tone plug by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
The TRN4224A Tone Plug is used in internal tone PL boards (i.e.
Mitreks, Syntors, Maxar, etc.), Systems-90 multi-PL mobile encoders
and some other models.
While this article is Mitrek oriented,
the information is valid for any equipment that uses the TRN-4224
plug-in tone module.
Making your own TRN6005 DPL
code plug by Mike Morris WA6ILQ from information and photos provided by Jerry Matthews WAØUZI
Like the tone plug above this module is used on a wide range of
equipment. A quad DPL board for a Micor base station is shown in the article, but the
techinque is universal to any equipment that uses the TRN6005.
Operating / User manuals:
Syntor X-9000 Operators Manual 68P80100W95-C 949KB PDF
Syntor X-9000 Supplement 68P80100W94-O 23MB PDF
Syntor X-9000 Trunked & Conventional Manual 68P80100W90-O 2MB PDF
Syntor X-9000E Operators Manual 68P80102W26-O 993KB PDF
MCX 100 and Syntor Prom Information:
The MCX1000 RSS manual is part number 6802902A30. Note that the MCX1000 differs from the MCX100 in that the MCX1000 is fully programmable using RVN4011 RSS, while the MCX100 requires a PROM burner for programming. The MCX100 is similar in design to the Syntor, whereas the MCX1000 is similar to the Spectra.
Mostar Information:
Mostar Information and Legal Programming Source From Andy Brinkley of Brinkley
Electronics (offsite link)
Note: Repeater-Builder is looking for a schematic of the MIB (Mostar Interface Box)... even Moto's own MIB service
manual (68-80900Z57) doesn't have the schematic. The MIB is different enough from standard RIB
that it can't be used to program a Mostar.
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Motorola® is a registered trademark of Motorola
Inc. Image used with permission.
Syntor, Syntor X, Syntor X-9000, Syntor X2, Syntor X3, the stylized / drop
shadowed X, MCX, Mostar and MCX-100 are all registered trademarks of
Motorola Inc.
This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on its pages and in these modifications and conversions is © Copyrighted 1995 and (date of last update) by Kevin Custer W3KKC and multiple originating authors. All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.